Adult Designated Juvenile Sentenced in Fatal Stabbing of Sister
Published on July 28, 2025
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged a 13-year-old juvenile girl of Taylor, in connection with the fatal stabbing of her seven-year-old sister, also of Taylor. After the case was charged the juvenile’s preferred pronouns are he/him/his and he wished to be addressed by a male first name.
On September 28, 2024, at approximately 1:06 p.m., Taylor police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 14200 block of Banner Avenue for a reported stabbing. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim in the bathroom of the home, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Medics arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.
At approximately 11:15 a.m., on September 28, 2024, the parents of the children left the house and had the juvenile respondent babysit for her seven-year-old sister. It is alleged that the juvenile and the victim had a verbal argument. After the verbal argument ended, it is alleged that the juvenile waited in the bathroom until the victim came in and stabbed her multiple times with a knife, fatally injuring her. After the attack the juvenile called 911.
On October 1, 2024, Judge Sheila Gibson remanded the juvenile at the preliminary hearing in the Lincoln Hall of Justice. On October 3, 2024, WCPO moved to amend the petition in the case and the juvenile was adult designated, which gives the sentencing judge the option of imposing a blended juvenile and adult sentence.
The juvenile was charged with First Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder and Child Abuse First Degree. She pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder on May 15,2025.
Today, Judge Judy Hartsfield imposed a blended sentence with an Adult Sentence of 25 to 60 years and a Juvenile Sentence / Disposition of Level Two Secure Probation with a Step-Down program, followed by Community Supervision. The Court ordered a Psychiatric Evaluation, and the defendant must follow any recommendations for treatment. She was ordered to get a high school diploma.
The delayed/blended sentence allows the defendant to receive rehabilitation services via the Juvenile Justice System while reserving the Court’s ability to impose an Adult Sentence at some later date should it be determined that rehabilitation services have been unsuccessful. The Court enters an order delaying a term of incarceration and places the Defendant on “probation”. The Court specifies all terms and conditions of the defendant’s probation, which includes residential placement at a high secure setting, as well as mandated services to be rendered. The Court automatically maintains jurisdiction until age 19 and may extended jurisdiction at any time to age 21.
An adult term of incarceration may be imposed at any time as long as the defendant remains under its jurisdiction. The Court is mandated to revoke probation and impose an adult term of incarceration if the defendant is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year, or adjudicated for an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year.
The Court set the date of January 26, 2026, for a review hearing.
#####